How can I divert my writing style from the writers I admire?

bachiekins Level 1

September 18, 2018, 8:54 am

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How can I divert my writing style from the writers I admire?

There are times that I don't want to start something new because someone has already done it. I love to read and was hoping I can be like my favorite authors. I want to give others the same feeling a book has given to me. Kind of a pass it forward type of thing. Being able to write, may it be an article, short story or a novel (wow), would really be a fantastic achievement for me. But every time I try to start an write, I reflect upon it and would recognize some of the styles of the last book I read.

Stopping myself because I don't want called a copy cat. Is there a way to have my own style? Am I overthinking and that having the same style is different from having the same story/topic/theme?

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beerthooyah

beerthooyah

Be a combination of the all the authors that you admire. Surely you will adopt a certain style from the and different style from the other. Then add up your own style baes on your own experiences and character. A combination of all these results in one extra ordinarily unique you

6 years ago

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jeffreyjose48

jeffreyjose48

I believe you do your own style of writing. You need not copy the style of the author you admire. I believe each one of us are unique. No two people are alike. Even our finger prints are not the same. Even twins their finger prints are not the same.

I believe that as you write to do your own style. You will just be amazed that it will have good results. Your own uniqueness comes out. Just practice and practice writing. You will soon be an expert or professional writer.

6 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

Collect all the good traits from your favorite writers and start writing using it and eventually you'll create your own style of writing. Even the writers you idolize evolved their style from their own favorite authors.

6 years ago

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ballyhara

ballyhara

Correct. One of my favorite writers is Robin Cook, and when he started he just wrote medical related regular stories, which are good by the way. But in time, he evolved and added science fiction/horror/suspense, and he became an amazing master of thrillers. So, he used his medical field knowledge, and joined it with his favorite style of stories, and there you go, incredible and catchy books.

6 years ago

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anchoreztin

anchoreztin

I dont think that if there are similarities of you writing style is already considered a copy cat. You can have the same style but you can add you own flare on it. Anyway, maybe you have the tendency to have a similarity from your favorite writer but I dont think that both of you has the same plot or storyline or genre or choice of word. I believe in your skills and I can feel your love for writing. Try not to think of it as copying but being inspired of your favorite authors. Take note of their remarkable style and learn from it.

6 years ago

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mark8625

mark8625

That is right. You have to establish your own identity so that readers will not compare you from your admired writer. Original is original, in the end you will that being your own is more important.

6 years ago

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Chinet23

Chinet23

If you read their writings a lot then definitely they will have influence on you. It can be something that will have an effect on you unconsciously. If you want to be intentional in adapting their writing style, then I suggest that you add your own personality or uniqueness to it. Since you mention that you want to pass on the feeling that it elicited on you when you read their writing, you can bank on that desire and develop your own writing style.

6 years ago

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cmoneyspinner

cmoneyspinner

My kids tell me there's something called "fan fiction". It seems that people are fans of certain characters but they rewrite the stories differently from the way the original author wrote it. FanFic or Fanfiction. You can look it up on Wikipedia. It's so popular it has a forum: fanfiction(dot)net. In my mind what you are asking about sounds almost like fan fiction.

6 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

Part of me thinks of the saying "there's no such thing as an original idea". Many of our thoughts get developed via things we are exposed to - and that's okay! If you're picking up things, it's part of the learning process, and as long as you're not actually plagiarising it's okay to pick up the styles and nuances of certain writers you admire. It's been done all throughout history!

6 years ago

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CyrusWahome

CyrusWahome

I understand your situation quite well, as I have also been in the same shoes before. I was always afraid of carrying on with a project because I feared that my work will be perceived as just another copy of a famous writer. The good news, however, is that I was finally able to outgrow my fears and took on the world with my own style. In the end, I still sounded like some writers I love, but sometimes that's just how it is. It is normal to take after a mentor, no matter what you do. This should not be something to discourage anyone. If you really feel you need to go beyond this point in your career, take some time off reading and listen to yourself. Start a project and carry out the project to the end without thinking about what other people will think.

6 years ago

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bachiekins

bachiekins

Fear is a big factor. I agree and would definitely try out some pointer. Being here and voicing out my insecurities helps a lot. I am amaze that there are some of you who are going through or have gone though this. It is really giving me a positive feeling of being ready to move forward.

6 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

I think it is only normal to mimic the style of writing of your favorite author. It is similar to the so called "last song syndrome" where the song keeps on playing on your mind simply because you love that song. But don't fret because there is a way to write differently. Write down the points of interest in the story that will serve as your story outline. Make sure that it is complete. Next is to imagine the first point or first scene in the story and think of how you would write it for your readers. Be sure that your readers are different from the readers of the author. Or perhaps write with your friends in your mind as your readers.

6 years ago

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Barida

Barida

It is always not that easy for you to make this happen especially as you have began with the type of writing that involves emulating them. What you should not always do is trying to rewrite their articles as this is one way that you are going to see that it will look as if you are totally writing what they write.

6 years ago

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superlicca

superlicca

I don't think that your work is 100% similar to other's work. You might have some in common with other authors in terms of style but you can still have your own identity. You can develop a unique writing style by experimenting and testing your limits. Write from your own experience. Your experience might be similar to others but you still have your own different approach and this will make you stand out among other writers.

6 years ago

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rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

You're overthinking it in my opinion. Your style is a culmination of your reading journey. So what if it's a little inspired to a writer you admire. In another year, your works will be inspired by other authors and by the time you realize it, you're writing style will be a combination of all those writers + your own style.

6 years ago

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ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

Well, being unique could give your readers a nice approach to your content but starting off with a used idea could still make you a great writer. Doesn't mean that somebody already did it, you don't have a right to start your own story with them being your inspiration. You can give them some credits knowing that they are the ones who inspired you to do your content. You have to be confident with your writings and good things will follow in your journey on becoming a famous and well-known writer.

6 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

I think that you are over thinking and over reaching. However I see what you are saying. I think that the more you write the more you develop your own style. This comes with time and with practice. I don't think that two people can have the same writing style. I read romance novels and I have done so since I was ten. I have read thousands and thousands of romance novels and still do.They all have the same plot but the way its brought out is different. Your writing style comes from your life experiences and everyone has different ones.

6 years ago

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ballyhara

ballyhara

In my opinion, I think that is completely normal, especially when you read books from the same style or similar writers. So, one way to enhance your writing, and to learn from another styles, is by reading from writers that may be different or opposite to what you usually read. That way you can decide what do you like or not, what you consider annoying, what should be more relevant, so that way you can begin to build your own and unique style.

6 years ago

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Youngshark

Youngshark

Why don't you try to put out what you have already written and see how it will be received. It is always important to take risks and know how they fare. You will be surprised that there might be many people out there waiting for content such as the one you write.

6 years ago

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mdayrit

mdayrit

I do not really see any problem if you adapt the writing style of writers you admire. If this is also the style that you will excel and can write good content then it is okay. Even if you adapt their writing style, it doesn't really follow that you will be called a copy cat. Style might be the same but content is still different. In my opinion, you can still find your own identity as a writer based on the topic you write about and not just with the style.

6 years ago

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mark8625

mark8625

There is nothing bad in admiring your favorite writer ,the only problem would be is that copying him. You should have your own identity as writer aside from that people will easy to recognize you if you have your own style and personality.

6 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Copying is very wrong in writing because it kills the originality of the work done and in most cases put confusion in knowing exactly who is the original owner of the content. This is the reason why it's very serious crime to copy another writer's work. But having said that, it is doesn't mean that you can't draw inspiration from another writer's work but it's very important to keep your urge away from copying the work 100%.

6 years ago

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mark8625

mark8625

That is right. We have a law that can punish those people who did copying. We should also think that this is a wrong doing that people should not practice. Be original should always do.

6 years ago

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Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh

For me once in a while don't consider that you admire the author convince yourseld that you hate him/her because he/she is your competitor. Use the ideas as a concept not a basis of uour writing in order to make a breaktheough. Honestly for me? write your own because if you just follow the footstep of others it would not be a great journey. Discover your own unique potential that is hidden upon you.

6 years ago

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mitan143

mitan143

First, you should read and read his works. Much better if you will read all of his work. That way you will understand how he do his writings because you have now the idea the way he writes a piece. It is only if you really do understand how he writes and if you truly absorb the messages or the context of his works. But I believe all people have different approach when it comes to writing and I guess no one has ever come into the same style of writing perfectly. But you can have him as your inspiration to write. You can get his interest topics.

6 years ago

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NesMarcos

NesMarcos

We have all differences and an absolute different approach in doing things. Needless to say, I can say that admiration is good because it gives an inspiration to do better. Meanwhile, too much admiration can also have a bad effect in what you are doing. A balance approach is better. Admiring your favorite author in a way you imitate the way he/she does her work but also with a touch of your sensibility and diversity. It is always better to have your own version of doing something than doing the same thing that other people do.

6 years ago

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stbrians

stbrians

There is nothing new you can do in this world. Others have done it before. You can begun by writing. Do not worry if the style of the last book you read comes in. With time you will find your style.

6 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

I like the way you answer the problem. There are really no more new things in this world. Got to keep that in my mind. As a writer it is always a problem to look like what you read with the others work. But what you had said was a good motivator. Thanks!

6 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

I agree with you. Everyone of us is unique. We will never be a copy of the other, unless you really intend to copy something.

6 years ago

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Jeane

Jeane

It's OK to use someone else's style as inspiration. That you will write exactly like your favorite writer however is going to be quite difficult. That's why sounding like them shouldn't bother you. Their choice of words when they are writing about a specific topic will be different from yours after all.

If you've take a look at some sites like todayifoundout and others like them, you'll notice something about their preferred writing styles. Should you want to be published on said sites, you'd have to write like someone who has been published on the site. So it really isn't such a bad thing for your writing to be similar to that of other writers as long as the audience you target doesn't mind.

6 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

You have to read the writers article that you admire, so that you can understand on how write an article.

6 years ago

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Barida

Barida

Yeah, there is a saying that while we try to arrange the way that we write by understanding how our mentors do everything that they do, that we should not try to make it difficult for us by trying to copy everything. This is what many are not doing at the moment in the sense that they want to copy everything that the mentor is going to do and that is not good.

6 years ago

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Aeolos

Aeolos

As a beginner, it was really hard for me to have a writing style that I can call my own. There are a lot of writers who shares the same opinion with you. You could also use the same structure when writing. However, writing your own thoughts clearly distinguishes you from others. It could be your own signature in writing which is based upon your very own character. It is okay to become inspired by others as long as you don't copy their works word by word when conveying your side of the story.

6 years ago

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romyter013

romyter013

I guess you are not really gonna copy their story but you are just inspired because of their creativity in writing and they are your favourite authors and admired them so much. You are a writer. You're going to get the idea but you know on how to elaborate it, add more climax on it. twist and all that, you can do it. Right - don't think too much about it. The authors you love served as inspiration for you and you are doing what you love to do.

6 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

One thing I can give you as a tip is try to get all the techniques and all the styles you see on a certain writers. Then combine all there styles and make some creative way to make new to the readers. We have the same problems. I love some writers that I think I maybe look like a copy cat for them.

6 years ago

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jetselle

jetselle

In the event that you read their compositions a great deal then certainly they will have effect on you. It very well may be something that will affect you unknowingly. On the off chance that you need to be deliberate in adjusting their composition style, at that point I recommend that you include your own identity or uniqueness to it. Since you specify that you need to pass on the inclination that it evoked on you when you read their thinking of, you can depend on that craving and build up your very own composition style.

6 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

I'm very sure that you are very familiar with the theory of Individual differences? There is no way two different individuals think, reason and have exactly the same though and knowledge in the same topic. It's not possible, but there might be similarities in it but it can't ever be the same. So, what I'm going to tell you is to ignore another person writing and write yours without reading the other writer's copy.

6 years ago

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ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

Everyone is unique in their own ways. There might be similarities but that is just because they got inspired of other people's works but that doesn't mean that they already copied it. I agree that there might be similarities, but there will always be differences since it came from two different persons with different capabilities and experiences.

6 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

Well, you can divert your writing style to the writer that you want if you will do their style of writing, my mimicking their strategy on how to type you may be the same on how they write.

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

I know what you mean. However, there is something to be said for learning to write in a particular style. Eventually, even if you flip flop around a bit when you begin to write, you settle on the one that works for you. Then, within that, you find your own "voice." You may adopt a style, but not the words the writer already wrote. Over and above that, remember that the style needs to be suited to the kind of book you are writing. I love stream of consciousness, but it would not really do in an article advertising frozen soup, so it comes out in the novel I am writing (and have been since 2002..)

6 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

@ HappyLady completely agree. This is nothing to worry about. You use the writing style you have learned from the person you admire, to write something good. As time goes by and you gain your confidence, you slowly develop your own style/voice. When we are in school our teachers teach us their thoughts on a subject and material from the syllabus. As time goes by we learn the material reproduce it and in time are able to give our own thoughts through our experiences.

6 years ago

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ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

I think you are just overthinking. Being inspired by other authors can only give you ideas on how you can write your story, but it will nevet dictate you on what you would like to write. It'll only set as an example to you. I cannot consider you as a copy cat since I can see that you are trying your best to create your own content. Maybe you just can't resist on following the sequence of the story you have read. You just have to trust and follow the ideas would come into your mind.

6 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

I personally think having authors that you admire is already an important training base for you to be able to write a good content. I also think that nothing wrong will happen to you if you get inspiration from your favorite authors. Anyway, people think differently, though there might be similar points, it will still be different because we have our own way of saying things. Just try writing as much as you can, don't think of the pressure too much. Write from the heart and you will soon find your style.

6 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

I would strongly suggest you to mimick their way of saying stuff or mimick their way on making a content, just read their contents every day and from that, you were able to adapt something from them.

6 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

That is a great suggestion. It is never bad to learn something from your most favorite authors. They could be the reason for your success one day.

6 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

You can actually learn a lot from their style by reading more and more of their works. And by reading it you will have an experience on knowing about their styles. And when you experience their style it is your chance to practice them by using it on your own article. Don't be afraid to look a copycat. Because eventually, your very own style will eventually reveal with out noticing it. The key is to continue on writing no matter what they think.

6 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

Just be natural and continue writing whatever you like even if your mimicking the writing style of the writers you admire. Doing this regularly would help you adapt and develop your own style of writing. Writing regularly is one of the keys in becoming a good writer.

6 years ago

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jpk0007

jpk0007

Well, I don't think there is nothing wrong with getting inspired by the writing of your favourite writers as long as you don't copy them and their style completely. I guess you can also write on the subjects that they have written successfully, but the only precaution you must take is that you should not copy any of there content. you can provide your own unique perspective on the same subject.after all every successful writer becomes successful after getting inspired by someone or the other '

6 years ago

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vivalavanda

vivalavanda

Being a new writer who wants to establish his/her own style and copying the style from the writers they admire is completely normal. You should do it but slowly diverting your style with their style until you find your own style and realize that these things are what makes me unique from other writers out there. It all started with being a fan, work all your way up until your idols become your rivals.

6 years ago

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Barida

Barida

Yeah having that unique style of writing is necessary as this is one sure way that we are going to bring out the uniqueness in the way that we write. It is not going to happen overnight especially for writers that are starting out, but it is not something that is totally impossible.

6 years ago

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mirodge

mirodge

There is nothing wrong with admiring others work of art in writing. It only means that you have set a standard, admiring them is your guidance on how you wanted to be more like your idol. Go on in whatever you think will help you to become good at it.

6 years ago

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emiaj55

emiaj55

It is really a dilema. It would not only make youthink that you may be copying at one point but it could also hinder you from discovering who you are. But this is one tip that heleped me find my writing style.

"Write more, than read more"

We tend to copy the good things. And the good things come from the ideas of the authors we read. When we read more, the more good ideas that we acquire. but the clincher is that, it is not yours to begin with. So writing in them might seem uninspirational since it seems that you are copying or stelaing the ideas of others. So as I was suggested, write more than you read. This means you write more of your pieces than reading others' works. In this way, you gradually learn to draw god ideas from within you than the ideas of others. You eneable your writing independe. You develop more the writer in you, than the reader. This way you write you, and not a copycat of other writers.

aAnother is ofcourse, experience more. Ideas will erupt on experience more so find time to go out there.

6 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

@emiaj, the christian bible says that there is nothing new under the sun. I agree with it whole heartily. All your ideas are inspired by something. If you don't read inevitably your writing will suffer. You can never draw ideas from yourself in a vacuum. The way your mind works, you must feed it first. The same bible says that he who has, is given more. I use the bible as a reference because its been proven to have existed for centuries. Originality comes from using other people's work to come up with your own.For example all music is made up of the same old notes remixed in a different way. I've never seen a musician try and come up with his own notes.

6 years ago

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Judas2018

Judas2018

I think it's okay to have other writers tendencies or habits present in your work. Just make sure that you put your own spin on them and work as hard as possible to differentiate yourself from them. So you'll build a rep as more of a disciple, instead of a copycat.

6 years ago

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JBeleren

JBeleren

You would always unknowingly incorporate styles from your favorite authors in your own work. It is okay, that is what you know because they are the ones who influenced you to write in the first place. Having your own style will come to you in time after you accrue more experience and mature personally and professionally. There's a popular saying that goes "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" for a reason. Don't worry about it too much, you are not the first and definitely won't be the last to do this.

6 years ago

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